The Greatest of These by Greg Wendleton (booksvooks txt) 📕

Bishop had double crossed the remaining members of his band of stooges.

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

Fonda and I were enjoying a quiet evening with no television distracting us to talk about our future life on Maui. I told her all about Scott and Leilani and I was sure the two women would become fast friends. I didn’t hold back, as I had in the past, and shared what Scott had done to cleanse my off-shore money and how Conrad had moved a million dollars into my account in an attempt to frame me. Fonda seemed to be absorbing everything I was sharing and mulling over how to react.

“Well, Conrad took advantage of you, and your sense of loyalty. He knew what he was doing from early on. If Scott found a way to make your money legitimate, then I know I’m going to like that man. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not condoning mercenary activity, but if it gives us a chance for a fresh start, let’s agree not to discuss the money aspect again.”

Surprised, I said, “Okay, I can agree to that. What do you think about me selling real estate, or maybe getting on with the Maui County Police Department?”

Thinking quietly before responding, Fonda looked off into the distance for a minute or longer. When she opened her mouth to speak, my iPhone vibrated on the coffee table in front of us. “Go ahead, answer it. It could be about the house.”

Looking at the caller id, I said, “It’s Chad!”

“Well, answer it, don’t just stare at it.”

“Hello, Chad?”

“Yes, how are you kids doing? Have you seen the breaking news?”

“No, we are sitting here talking about our future on Maui. What’s going on?”

I picked up the remote control and turned on the television, tuning to CNN. The scroll across the bottom of the screen was relaying information about an explosion at an isolated house on a piece of property near Helotes, Texas, called ‘The Farm’. Fonda and I stared at the television in dumbstruck silence.

“Garret, are you there? Hello?”

“Sorry, Chad, yes, we are here. I can’t believe the place blew up. Was it a gas explosion?”

“They don’t know for sure. It happened precisely at 6:10pm, so it’s only been about two hours ago. The FBI saw two men enter the house a few minutes before the explosion, but they don’t know if anyone was already inside. The place was vaporized. There won’t be any survivors and might not be much in the way of human remains.”

I paused, then said, “That had to be the other two men who kidnapped you and Jamie. They were all supposed to meet up today at six o’clock.”

“Yes, that’s what Special Agent Presley surmised as well. The ‘three stooges’ are all accounted for. But, they can’t account for Conrad Bishop, not yet at least.”

“If he wasn’t in the house, then he arranged the explosion and is on the run. My money would be on the latter.”

Chad sat silently on his end of the call for some time before he said, “How is Chief?”

“He’s good Chad. Fonda really spoiled him while I was gone. When will you be home?”

“We are flying back tomorrow evening. We land in San Antonio around noon Monday.”

“So, the same flights that I took back home. Well, we can’t wait to see you back here. Chief will be so excited to see you again.”

“Yes, we’re looking forward to it. Hey, we are going to buy the house we fell in love with in Kihei.”

“That’s great, because we are selling our home here and buying Scott’s house we were all staying in. We need a fresh start.”

“Don’t we all.” Before Chad hung up, he added, “That’s great news, we’ll still be nearby. Looking forward to seeing all of you Monday afternoon. Bye.”

We sat in silence, with Chief resting his head in Fonda’s lap, watching the news updates about the explosion. After ten minutes, or so, of silence, except for the talking heads ranting about FBI over reach and accusing them of blowing up the house, Fonda broke the silence. “It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow, I need to get some rest. Good night.”

She rose from the couch and Chief jumped down as well. The pair disappeared into our bedroom.

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

Conrad and Jackie arrived in Mexico City in the early morning hours on Sunday, March 7. They pulled up to a small house on the outskirts of the sprawling city and parked the Cadillac Escalade. Conrad knocked on the wooden door and a light came on inside the house. Through a six-inch square viewing door, a pair of dark eyes peered out upon them. Then a broad smile erupted and a small voice said, “Conrad, my friend.”

The door creaked open and a diminutive man ushered them inside. “It’s so good to see you my friend. Who is your companion?”

“It’s good so see you as well Manuel. This is Jackie. We need a place to sleep for a few hours. Maybe a few days.”

“Of course, come, mi casa es su casa.”

The men moved into the living room as Manuel closed the door behind them. “Please, make yourself comfortable. Tell me, why are you here?”

“We are headed to the coast for a fishing trip with some buddies. I came this way, so I could see you and catch up on what’s been going on.”

“I know that is not true, but I will accept that as your explanation.”

Conrad smiled at his old friend, then said, “We will be gone Monday morning. Is that okay?”

“Yes, my friend, that is okay. Follow me, you can sleep in the back room.”

Manuel led his guests to a back room that had two beds and little else. “This will be perfect, thank you.”

“Before you turn in for the night, I recommend you pull your Cadillac around the back and don’t leave anything important inside. The little thieves have nearly taken over. You can come back in through the kitchen door. Be sure to lock